The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 173



Only Krnovel

Episode 173 Guardians of the World Tree (8)

Kadim strode upward across the corridors and stairs of the World Tree. The two companions followed suit busily.

Duncan looked around and asked Parneo slyly.

“Well, the Guardian will be better… … What is ‘Week of Sabbath’?”

“… … The ‘Week of Rest’ is a period to commemorate the Mother World Tree’s personal descent to restore rest to this world. During that period, it is correct to block entry to the World Tree except for the Guardians… … However, it seems that someone has arbitrarily designated it and is now taking advantage of it.”

“Oh, I see… … Then, why are the other elves having such a hard time because they can’t enter the World Tree?”

“If the entrance to the World Tree is blocked, blood donations cannot be made here… … . If you donate blood, some of the blood will be returned to ‘Sangus’, and many elves use this as a means of livelihood. There is also a rule that those who have not donated blood for a long time will not be able to reach the ‘World Tree Dream’ after death… … .”

“… … .”

The scandalous story of human sacrifice has surfaced again.

No, that was not only a matter of livelihood, but also of treatment in the afterlife? Duncan was momentarily dumbfounded by the strangeness of the system and regulations. Kadim, who was walking ahead, also overheard the conversation and frowned slightly.

Meanwhile, the group was heading to the ‘Meeting Hall’, the place where they had first made a promise with the Guardians. They had promised to meet again at that place after finishing their work, so they planned to start there to find the masterminds of this group.

There was no need to go there. I took care of it myself on the way.

“What bastards! During the ‘Week of Sabbath’, outsiders are strictly prohibited from entering! Who dares break the sacred rules of nature and disturb the discipline of rest!”

‘Iron Stump’ Lawrel, the top-tier guardian who joined hands with ‘Blue Fang’, appeared with an arrogant look on his face.

Kadim was also impressed. He wasn’t a complete stranger. The guardian who previously pointed out rudeness at the round table and extended thorns.

Rowrel did not feel intimidated at all even after facing Kadim and his group. After that, it was thanks to the two first-tier guardians and a bunch of lower-ranked guardians. He approached with authority, like an inspector who discovered corruption, and pointed a pointed finger at Kadim.

“Ha, someone said it, and it turned out to be that barbarian who has no superiors or inferiors. Do you know what you just did? Violating the ‘rules of nature’ is a sin no different from insulting the Mother World Tree! Even if you kneel down in the mud and pray until your back is covered in moss, you will never be forgiven!”

“… … .”

“And, Sir Parneo! What on earth are you? A so-called guardian, you are not only unable to restrain those who break the rules, but you are also acting as their lackey! Do you not have even a bud of respect for the World Tree within you?”

Farneo opened his narrowed eyes and looked at his superior.

“… … Wasn’t this a wrong move from the start, Guardian? This year’s ‘Week of Rest’ has already passed, and I think the intention behind redesignating it so suddenly is quite impure. Innocent citizens are also suffering because of it… … .”

“Shut up! Everything has been decided for a reason, so if you don’t know, just keep quiet! Your master, the ‘White Turtle’, also agreed to this, so how dare you disobey him?”

“Huh? T-Teacher too… … ? T-That can’t be… … .”

Rowel laughs at the sight of her shaking eyes.

“Ha, if you don’t believe me, go ask in person.”

“… … .”

“Tsk… … By the way, Sir Tevio is really pitiful. His only disciple has ended up like this. Not only has he been going in and out of the asylum without permission, but now he has fallen for a barbarian who has broken the rules… … . He may be desperate for life, but it seems he has no disciple’s clothes… … .”

Rowrel continued to point out the boy druid’s mistakes and ordered him to leave and stop tarnishing his teacher’s name. Farneo’s ears turned red with humiliation and anger, but he could not bring himself to vomit. In the end, he forced himself to lower his head, took steady steps, and walked away.

Kadim didn’t care about the rules of freezing to death, the circumstances of the elves who couldn’t sell blood, or the interests of the guardians. He looked down at the rascal with empty eyes.

“… … Keep your promise. Now that you’ve caught the baby snake, lead me to Melissa.”

“promise? What promise do you mean? There is no promise to keep with the barbarian who desecrated Mother World Tree… … .”

The axe blade cut off the horse’s tail.

Pararararararararararararararararararararararararararararararararararararararararaak, fur – oops!

A cool gust of wind narrowly missed the tips of Rowrel’s ears, the earlobes of the guardians standing behind them, and the shoulders and hair of those standing behind them, and hit the wall. Then, it traced its path back and returned to its owner’s hands.

Hoo-hoo, hoo-woo, hoo-ung, hoong, chin-!

“Oh.”

“Uh… … .”

The people whose lives were saved by just a little bit raised their eyes in bewilderment. When he came to his senses late, the hairs all over his body stood on end.

“You only get one warning. “Next time, I won’t miss out.”

“… … .”

But Rowel was unmoved. He touched the tip of her ear once, opened his eyes sharply, and twisted his lips.

“under… … You have quite a knack for cutting an ax ignorantly, right? I guess you didn’t just watch while they hunted down the forest tyrant. Well, since I haven’t properly proven it, I won’t be able to keep my promise.”

“… … “What nonsense.”

“Well, you didn’t kill the basilisk by yourself, did you? “I guess they managed to catch it with the help of the fledgling ‘Black Panther’ who left first, and the bearded dwarf over there.”

“… … .”

“… … “Yep?”

Duncan responded with absurd disapproval. If he had stayed, Parneo would have reacted the same way.

Even the Guardians on his own side thought it was a nitpick, but Rowel didn’t care. He imagined the two people’s accomplishments on his own, belittled Khadim’s contribution, and made another excuse to avoid keeping his promise.

I had promised to return ‘right away’ to the reception hall after work, but I wasn’t there last night.

Of course, the reason was that they blocked access, but they shamelessly removed the clock.

“So, in the first place, we have no obligation to keep the ‘oath in the name of the World Tree’! Since you enlisted the help of others to prove your case, broke the rules of nature, and even threatened the guardians, you deserve to be imprisoned in a prison cell for the rest of your life… … .”

“… … .”

“… … Considering the small possibility that you may actually be acquainted with the World Balance Manager, I will give you one more chance. One week later, by the end of the ‘Week of Sabbath’, capture the tyrant in the eastern cedar forest and return. Of course, this time I must do it alone without any help from others… … .”

A vein bulged out on Kadim’s forehead. At this point, it was impossible not to have this thought.

Why are you acting like you have multiple lives, you little punk? Weren’t you weak enough to catch one of those snakes? Do you have any faith in anything?

To check, I hit it on the head with an ax.

Whoosh – woosh, crunch – !

“… … Hmph!”

Suddenly, the identity of the believer was revealed.

In an instant, it imitated the shape of the ‘Geumcheolmok’ with several layers of overlapping shapes. He raised his forearm, as thick as a wooden beam, and blocked the ax blade, then smiled sarcastically.

“Heh, heh… … “Why, since you cut up the basilisk, did you think you could easily cut me up too?”

“… … .”

“I’m sorry, but if that tyrant lived near the World Tree, he would have been torn to pieces by my hands a long time ago. As we get closer to the World Tree, our guardians become stronger than a thousand-year-old giant tree… … .”

That was true. The ‘World Tree’ was a sanctuary that contained Hesilia’s divine power more abundantly than anywhere else. The Guardians displayed greater power the closer they were to it, and if they were inside, they could even mimic their own abilities several times greater than their own.

‘Iron Stump’ Rowel wasn’t provoking without reason. I don’t know about the outside, but here, I could fight any formidable opponent. And with so many other Guardians, I thought it would be easier to subdue one of these savages than to break a branch.

The situation after that turned out a little differently than he expected.

Kwagak, kwagak… … .

An axe blade that not only penetrates the bark, but also digs deep into the heartwood.

The lips that had been spitting out nonsense the whole time began to harden little by little. Kadim pressed down hard on the axe and glared at Roulel with his inorganic eyes.

“I think there’s something you’re mistaken about.”

“… … ?”

“I didn’t trust you because you swore to the World Tree. “I believed you because I swore with all your ears and heads.”

“… … What?”

“But you haven’t kept your promise, and you’re engaging in such disgusting manipulations… … .”

Quagga gak, quagga gak… … .

The ax blade cut through the center of the trunk and almost cut off one arm. Rowrel’s face suddenly became as dull as rotten firewood.

“Hey, wait a minute… … Hey, hey, wait a minute… … .”

I tried to stop the axe from digging in and ask the other guardians for help, but…

“… … “I have no choice but to take it all.”

… … Kadim was faster at igniting lightning from a lightning strike.

――――――――――― Flash, crack, crack, crack – !!

The impact of a thunderbolt that rapidly doubled in power, the ax blade splitting both arms in a split second and falling, striking directly at the top of the head. Blue sparks exploded at the point of impact, and the skull covered in bark and fur shattered in one blow.

Bubbububuk – !

“Eeeeek!!!”

Acrid smoke rose, and charred brain fragments popped out like mined coal. Eyes swung in different directions.

‘Iron Stump’ Rowel collapsed like a wooden doll with its head blown off. Still, he managed to utter a more plausible and valuable will than the nonsense he had been spouting just a moment ago.

“Uh, uh, uh… … Hehe, ugh, ugh, ugh…”

A room filled with a foul, soot-filled smell.

The remaining Guardians froze like stone. Fear and shock spread like flames through their stiffened blood vessels.

“Uh uh… … Lo, Sir Rowel… … ?”

“Oh, Mother World Tree… … . Oh my, this is ridiculous… … .”

“This can’t be happening… … In one blow from ‘Iron Stump’… … .”

“Ugh!! Oh, step away!! “Don’t come any closer!!”

“… … .”

Kadim raised the sack without delay and prepared to explode the other heads as well.

*

Guardians belonging to the ‘Guardians of the World Tree’ are divided into five ranks. Naturally, the higher the rank of the guardian, the more outstanding his qualities as a Druid, and the more powerful he can be.

The 4th and 5th tier guardians mostly disguise themselves as insects or microbes. They can disguise themselves as higher beings, but it is imperfect and somehow leaves traces of an elf behind.

Third-level guardians mainly mimic ordinary beasts or natural objects. If you were close to the World Tree, it was possible to temporarily imitate an extraordinary being.

Second-tier guardians mainly imitate vicious beasts or powerful natural creatures. It was a stage in which enormous power was being dealt with, but the risk of ‘naturalization’ was also increasing.

And the first-tier guardians were mostly disguised as corpses.

Pararaerararak, blah blah blah – !

“Wow!”

– Bakeeeeeek!

Just now, the two first-level guardians followed their peers and imitated corpses.

It wasn’t what they had intended. It was an involuntary impersonation of the axe and sword blades that flew at them without any resistance. Still, it was the most common form used by the current tier 1 guardians, so there was no room for argument about the fact that it was the most commonly used impersonation.

The reason why this mess happened was because they deceived a barbarian. And it was because that barbarian, Kadim, established these principles while climbing the World Tree.

A guy who is stubborn doesn’t have to be killed.

“Huh! S, please save me! You can go this way!”

Those who don’t budge, kill them if possible.

“How outrageous! Where the hell do you think you are to dare cause a ruckus… … Kkeuk!”

If you are a tier 1 guardian, you will definitely have your head blown off.

“Yes… … .”

Pfft!

“… … “Kwaaaaaaa!!”

There were some pretty powerful ones that I encountered occasionally, but I could just drink demon blood or call upon my divine powers. No guardian could stop the berserker who was buffed and running wild. The swords and axes glowed a deep red as they drank the blood of the highest druids.

Duncan, who hid behind a cloak, was also helpful. Guardians who were caught off guard because the barbarians had gone far away, or who tried to shoot arrows from behind, were often suffocated by the transparent blade that appeared out of nowhere.

“Look behind you, damn it!”

Tsk – Tsk!

“Ugh!”

Although it wasn’t a critical aid, it was a great help in saving time. Thanks to this, Kadim was able to climb the World Tree without being stranded, breaking the heads of guardians who had broken their promises one after another.

But when we got to a certain height, an unexpected problem occurred.

“Ugh, ugh… … What should I do, Your Majesty? It doesn’t look like it will be easy to find the way from here… … .”

“… … .”

The inside has become complicated like an anthill, making it difficult to find your way around.

Up until now, I had been asking the guardians for directions, but there were few people here. Unfortunately, since it was the inside of the World Tree, it was difficult to break through the walls and ceiling. Even if I could trim the branches and make scratches, I couldn’t penetrate the layers of that transcendentally strong wood… … .

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before I heard some noise nearby.

Unexpectedly, he was a member of the group not long ago. Farneo, a boy druid who was disowned and kicked out by his superiors.

“Your, Your Highness the Druid… … ? And your dear friend… … ? How did you come here… … Oh my, Mother World Tree! Th, what is all that blood?”

“… … .”

“… … .”

Although it was difficult to expect friendly cooperation like before… … there was no choice. Kadim wiped the blood off the axe blade and ordered them to lead him to Melissa.

Farneo was not a fool either. It feels like I already realized what happened. He clenched his fists, his eyes trembled, and he pondered for a while about what to do.

“… … Okay. First, both of you, please follow me.”

With difficulty, I accepted the order. A boy druid leads the way with a distraught expression. Blood-covered warriors and peddlers followed.

However, the direction that Parneo guided was not the right path.

At the end of the road, a sinister cave appeared. Beyond the gaping black entrance, poisonous moss and thorny vines grew in a disorderly manner. To anyone who looked at it, it was definitely not a place made for people to pass through.

Kadim lifted the thunderbolt stealthily.

“… … So, you’re a noble after all.”

“… … .”

Just before the angry ax blade struck, Farneo fell to his knees and fell to the ground.

“I apologize for deceiving you, Grand Druid! But I didn’t mean to get you into trouble! I felt like I would never get another chance, so I had to ask for your help in this way!”

“… … .”

“Here, in this incarceration, one of my close friends is imprisoned! It’s really shameless to be in a hurry… … Please, can you save my friend? I tried to escape with my own strength, but it wasn’t enough… … . If you help me, I will definitely guide you to the place you want in the future… … .”

Kadim frowned. It wasn’t a trap, but it wasn’t properly guided either. He didn’t throw the ax right away, but he didn’t put down the sack either.

An uncomfortably flowing silence.

While Duncan was examining the aesthetic atmosphere, he suddenly wondered why the Guardian’s close friend was trapped in a place like this. When I carefully asked about the reason, Farneo gave a mixed answer.

“Maybe that’s because my close friend is a dark elf… … This is probably because they are elves who chose to worship the ‘forgotten god’ instead of their mother, the World Tree. All dark elves are apostates and are severely ostracized by us… … .”

Suddenly, a sharp beam of light passed through Kadim’s eyes.